New Year’s Eve party: 5 tips to throw a grand blowout

Here's how you can wow your guests with a lavish introduction to 2018.

The festive season isn’t complete without a final blowout in the form of a grand New Year’s Eve party. The week between December 25 and December 31 usually passes in a jiffy. Preparation is the key to cool and collected entertaining. Mehezabin Sarela, who runs a niche experiential marketing and live events agency in the lifestyle and luxury space, will help you get ahead on your New Year’s Eve plans to ensure you wow your guests with a lavish and sophisticated introduction to 2018.

The theme

Mehezabin believes choosing a theme for the New Year’s party is vital. A purple and gold palette is opulent, and befitting of a grand party to usher in 2018.

The invite

The invite is the first sign of things to come and, hence, should be as well thought out as the other elements of the party. If you are planning to send out e-invites, think about sending it in a GIF format instead of a static image. A video invite could also be a great way to invite your friends. If you prefer sending out a physical invite, consider sending scrolls in the colour scheme chosen for the party. If you want to go all out for your New Year’s Eve bash, send out hand-delivered invites placed on a purple pillow with a butler/valet dressed in a tuxedo. You could also send out invites printed on luxurious paper with foil printing in gold instead. The envelopes can be sealed with wax. Also, ensure the invitation specifies the dress code.

The decor

Mehezebin believes that you can work with home accessories in gold and purple to add panache to your party. Sparkling table runners for the dining table also adds a touch of glamour to the proceedings. To ensure your New Year’s Eve party is a success, a free-flowing supply of champagne and appetizers should be available for guests. Mehezabin suggests putting in place highboy bar tables, which can have customised table covers. “If you want to add flowers as a centrepiece, go with purple hydrangeas,” says the expert. Additionally, purple and gold pillar candles set on candelabras is perfect for the coffee table.

You can also create a sensorial experience by setting Le Labo Santal (Sandalwood) aroma candles in and around the space.

The tablescape

Building a tablescape, and a bar-scape, is important. A gold-mirrored acrylic runner for the bar creates the perfect base for a swinging party. Bring out the gold cutlery, coupled with purple serviettes or napkins. You can use the suggested decor elements like flowers, candles/votives to create interesting multiple layered installations at the table where the food is laid out.

If you are expecting a large turnout for your New Year’s Eve party, ghost chairs are a good option as they are transparent, and suit most types of spaces. You can add bar stools to the highboys if you are looking at high seating options. A few self-standing, full-length mirrors with ornately carved frames in gold can be placed around the space. They serve as selfie points.

The lighting

The lighting needs to be moody and sexy, says Mehezabin. Amber lighting will also complement your colour theme for the night. “I always like to create something that feels elaborate in a very understated way—nothing stiff or contrived,” says Mehezabin.